Around 60,000 patients have received diagnostic tests closer to home since the Hinckley Community Diagnostic Centre (CDC) opened, marking a major milestone in improving local access to care across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland.
The £24.6 million state-of-the-art facility, which opened in June 2025, was the first of its kind in Leicestershire. The purpose-built centre was developed to give patients greater choice on where they have their tests carried out, while helping to ease pressure on busy hospital sites.
To mark the first anniversary, a celebration event was held at the CDC which was attended by the Mayor of Hinckley and Bosworth, Cllr Cathie Gibbens and local MP Dr Luke Evans. The event recognised the achievements of the centre over the past 12 months and highlighted its contribution to improving access to diagnostic services for local communities.
Since opening, the centre has seen 60,000 patients, with the majority of activity taking place in imaging services, which have supported nearly 36,000 patients. A further 12,000 patients have attended physiological science appointments such as blood pressure monitoring, spirmometry or echocardiography, and nearly 8,000 patients have accessed phlebotomy services, with continued growth expected into 2026.
A significant proportion of patients attending the CDC live locally, meaning more people are able to access essential tests closer to home, reducing the need to travel to acute hospital sites for non-complex investigations and supporting more convenient care.
One of those patients is Keith, from Higham on the Hill, who attends the centre for regular X-rays following a historic football injury. He said: “Having the centre so close to where I live has made a real difference. It’s only 12 minutes away, which means I can get to appointments quickly and easily without having to take a lot of time out of my day.
“Going to a local community-based centre feels much less stressful than travelling to a busy hospital site. It’s convenient, it shortens the journey, and it feels like a service that’s really part of the local community.
“It’s great to have these kinds of services available right on our doorstep, making it easier for people to access their appointments and get the care they need.”
The centre has also contributed to improvements in diagnostic waiting times across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland. For tests including MRI and CT scans, the number of patients waiting more than six weeks has reduced significantly since the CDC opened.
Helen Hendley, Chief Operating Officer at UHL, said: “The Hinckley Community Diagnostic Centre represents a major step forward in how we deliver diagnostic services for our local communities. By bringing a wide range of tests closer to where people live, we are improving choice and convenience for patients while ensuring they receive the investigations they need more quickly.
“Reaching 60,000 patients in its first year is a fantastic achievement and demonstrates the real impact the centre is having across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland. It is helping to reduce waiting times, support earlier diagnosis, and ensure our acute hospital sites can focus on patients with more complex needs.
“This success reflects the dedication of colleagues across UHL and our partners who have worked together to deliver services that are making a real difference to patients every day.”
Dr Luke Evans, Member of Parliament for Hinckley and Bosworth, said ” One year and 60,000 patients later, it’s great to go back to the £24m Hinckley Community Diagnostic Centre and thank staff for the difference they are making to our community!
“The word is getting out about how great the facility is, and it’s wonderful to see the Centre benefiting people from across Hinckley and Bosworth. Hearing from people across the community about the experience they’ve had at the CDC and what it means to them and their loved ones who have been there for tests or scans is a joy.
“A huge well done to everyone from the NHS who not only worked to make the CDC a reality but have been running and delivering diagnostic services from the heart of Hinckley over the past year. There is still more capacity to come, so watch this space.”